Help small businesses

Our New Mexico businesses and restaurants are suffering because they are being asked to carry the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have had to reduce or completely eliminate services to help keep our communities safe. We know that state-mandated lockdowns and stay-at-home orders slow the spread of the virus, but at a great cost to our economy, our local businesses and our residents’ mental health.

There is a much easier and more cost-effective way to slow the spread and stop COVID-19: Wear a mask. We must wear a mask every time we are outside our homes. It is a matter of life and death for many, and the very least we can do to keep our small businesses open, our workers healthy and our economy moving forward. Step up for New Mexico — wear a mask so we all can get through this and begin to rebuild our economy.

Rob Black president and CEO New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry